Chapter 84: The Empress's Reward

Long Chen entered the Phoenix Song Palace, where Empress Luo Xi was already waiting.

"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty."

The Empress gestured for Long Chen to take a seat. He thanked her and sat beside Luo Xi.

"Don't pay any mind to what those people said earlier. The court is always like this—if you have merit, others will turn jealous." The Empress offered words of comfort, but Long Chen merely smiled.

Having been raised in the Long family, he had seen enough of political intrigue and scheming; this was nothing to him.

"What happened with Shui Han?" the Empress asked.

Luo Xi had briefly reported the matter, but the Empress wanted more details.

Luo Xi recounted everything in detail. The Empress's expression grew dark. "Long Cheng'en did well. Luo Xi, you should learn from him—always consider the bigger picture."

"This Jing Heng truly doesn't know his limits. Embezzling from the Ministry of Revenue was bad enough, but to tamper with military affairs and even collude with foreign powers!"

Luo Xi, clearly upset, said, "Mother, Jing Heng should be arrested and executed. He caused the deaths of tens of thousands of soldiers."

Because of the defense maps Jing Heng had sent out, that battle had cost countless lives.

The Empress said nothing. Long Chen spoke up, "To deal with Jing Heng is to deal with Jing Tianlie. This matter needs careful deliberation."

Luo Xi, dissatisfied, retorted, "Such a grave crime as treason—what is there to deliberate?"

The Empress grew displeased and reprimanded her, "I just told you to learn from Long Cheng'en, and here you are being rash again."

"Our generals are already few. The Grand General's Mansion commands half the army. If we act against Jing Heng, the political situation will certainly be shaken."

"You should understand why I stationed you in the south and your third sister in the north. It was to divide his military power."

Long Chen was mildly surprised—not because the Empress spoke plainly, but because she did so in his presence. It meant she did not consider him an outsider.

Luo Xi, though fiery in temperament, was not unreasonable. He knew the Empress spoke the truth.

"Soldiers are easy to find, but good generals are rare. Shui Han was a promising talent, but now this has happened." The Empress sounded regretful.

Long Chen listened, wondering if the Empress intended to groom him as a great general. If so, it would be ideal.

"This matter ends here. We will pursue it no further," the Empress declared, setting the tone. Luo Xi said no more.

"You may withdraw. Long Cheng'en, stay. I have something to discuss with you."

Luo Xi cast Long Chen a glance, then rose and left the Phoenix Song Palace.

The Empress glanced at Shadow Phoenix, who withdrew with the palace maids, leaving only Long Chen behind.

Everyone was gone; only the Empress and Long Chen remained. A man and a woman alone in a room—should something happen between them?

Long Chen glanced at the Empress's phoenix robe and those long, shapely legs.

When young, one fails to appreciate the allure of older women, mistaking youth for treasure.

A stunning aunt like the Empress must surely be... rich... juicy... unforgettable.

"How has your cultivation been lately?" The Empress shifted slightly, half reclining on the couch with a languid air.

Her long legs were bent, the phoenix robe lifted at one corner. Long Chen tried to restrain himself, but his eyes had their own ideas and stole a glance... black.

"Your Majesty, I have reached the mid-stage of King rank. Progress is slow beyond this point."

Since beginning his cultivation as a martial artist, Long Chen felt he had reawakened his old foundation.

He owed much to the lecherous predecessor who left behind the Yin cultivation technique. Though somewhat indecent, it had remarkable effects in gathering vital energy.

Combining both, his advancement in cultivation had soared.

"Luo Xi only gave you the spear technique manual. At this stage, that's pretty much the limit."

As she spoke, the Empress picked up a booklet from the table and tossed it over.

Long Chen caught it. On the cover were the words "Hundred Birds Worship the Phoenix."

Hundred Birds Worship the Phoenix? Zhao Yun's ultimate move?

Long Chen couldn't help but complain.

The Empress said calmly, "This is the imperial family's secret cultivation manual. Only I and the four princesses have practiced it. You are the fifth."

"Of course, to practice this technique, one must be female. I wonder if you, as a eunuch, can manage it."

The Empress's gaze was full of meaning...

Long Chen cursed inwardly. This was as notorious as the Sunflower Manual.

To master this skill, must one first become a eunuch?

Long Chen was only pretending to be a eunuch; he should not be able to cultivate it.

Still, he couldn't bear to miss out on such a treasure.

"Your humble servant... will give it a try."

He tucked the booklet close to his chest as a sign of respect.

The Empress frowned and laughed, "I only allow you to look at it. Whatever you can memorize, that's yours. You actually want to take it? How bold!"

Damn!

"Your humble servant was presumptuous," Long Chen replied with a dry laugh, taking the booklet out again and opening to the first page, striving to memorize the text.

Half an hour later, Long Chen returned the booklet to the Empress.

"Have you memorized it?" she asked, taking it back.

Long Chen smiled, "More or less."

The Empress nodded, and Long Chen withdrew from the Phoenix Song Palace.

Back at the West Palace, Long Chen intended to rest in the Autumn Delight Hall, but was caught by Luo Xi.

"Get over here!"

Luo Xi dragged Long Chen by the sleeve into the room, pushed him down, and pinned him.

"You damned eunuch, because of you I was scolded by my mother twice! Tell me, how should I punish you?"

Earlier, the Empress had told Luo Xi to learn from Long Chen, which irritated him.

Xuan Yi and Qing Yue climbed onto the bed, giggling. "Such courage! If not beaten for three days, the roof gets torn off. Daring to ride on the princess!"

Long Chen didn't mind being sat upon by Luo Xi; in fact, he rather enjoyed it.

"My boldness is not a recent affair, nor is riding the princess a first."

He played the rascal, letting Luo Xi do as she pleased.

Xuan Yi laughed, "Princess, I think he deserves a beating."

Qing Yue grinned slyly, "Princess, shall we shut him up?"

Luo Xi grabbed Long Chen's hands, preventing him from moving.

Though female, Luo Xi was at the Martial Emperor level, easily overpowering Long Chen, so he couldn't resist.

Luo Xi leered and asked, "Little Dragon, Qing Yue suggests shutting your mouth. Tell me, what should I use?"

Luo Xi, when mischievous, surpassed all others. Long Chen sensed trouble; should she really use her personal items to gag him, that would be...

"Spare me, Princess! I'm your loyal follower. If the Empress praised me, it's a praise to you too!"

Luo Xi pressed her forehead to Long Chen's, sneering coldly, "Nonsense, that's entirely different. Tonight you must be punished. Choose your own fate!"

Long Chen thought for a moment. "A spa for you? Or beauty treatments?"

Luo Xi straightened up, laughing, "Xuan Yi, fetch the goose feather."

Xuan Yi brought a goose feather, Qing Yue removed Long Chen's socks, and Zhang Qian cheered them on. The two grabbed his feet and tickled him with the feather. Long Chen cried for help.

Half an hour later, Long Chen thought he might die.

Tickling wasn't highly injurious, but its power was immense; Long Chen felt utterly drained.

"Alright, carry him back!" Luo Xi saw Long Chen collapsed, finally satisfied, and stood.

Zhang Qian and Xuan Yi carried Long Chen back to Autumn Delight Hall and laid him on the bed.

Xiang Ning saw Long Chen weak and asked in surprise, "What did you do to him? Did you drain Lord Long dry?"

Zhang Qian laughed, "No draining, just a bit of tickling. He laughed himself powerless."

Long Chen, barely breathing, simply closed his eyes and went to sleep.

Xuan Yi hugged Xiang Ning mischievously, whispering, "Without a tube, how could we drain him?"