Castle of Black Iron

Zhang Tie was not ambitious about occupying the Western Continent. Now that he had already got Fadiland Province on the Western Continent, he should make some preparation for the future. Likewise, a farmer collected some firewood for stockpile; it didn’t mean that he wanted to occupy the entire mountain.

As Zhang Tie was pondering the map of Fadiland Province, Barbarian Federation, Rhesa Republic and Nordinham Commercial Federation and the future of Zerom and Kerlin, his vehicle had already entered emperor’s imperial city and returned to Qianji Manor.

After returning to Qianji Manor, Zhang Tie didn’t imagine that an imperial official had been waiting for him.

After having Bai Suxian and Yan Feiqing return to their courtyard, Zhang Tie received that imperial official in a parlor of Qianji Manor.

At the sight of Zhang Tie, that imperial official immediately gave an invitation card which was made of violet gold to Zhang Tie.

After taking it and skimming over it, Zhang Tie’s face turned strange, “The crown prince is about to hold an evening reception in the imperial palace?”

“Yes!” That imperial official behaved very respectfully; instead of looking straight into Zhang Tie’s eyes, he watched the part below Zhang Tie’s knees, “Since demons invaded Taixia Country, crown prince had been busy with national affairs, and no more banquet was held anymore in the imperial palace. After Taixia Country made a triumph in the Western Theater of Operations and the general woke up, the crown prince is thrilled as he prepares to hold an evening dinner for celebration and displaying the power of Taixia Country to the foreign forces!”

A whim occurred to Zhang Tie as he asked, “Will any other foreign ambassadors attend this banquet?”

“Yes, it’s a national banquet. Besides those prominent chancellors of Xuanyuan Hill, many foreign ambassadors and imperial households from other continents and subcontinents would attend it!”

Zhang Tie threw a glance at the date and found it would be held after 10 days. Family members were also allowed to attend it. Only after being hesitant for a second, Zhang Tie had told the imperial official, “Please notice the crown prince that I will attend it on time!”

After hearing Zhang Tie’s promise, the imperial official immediately felt a sense of relief as he deeply bowed towards Zhang Tie and said, “If the general doesn’t have other order, this humble official would return to notice the crown prince!”

After Zhang Tie nodded, the imperial official left the parlor. After arriving at the gate, he bowed towards Zhang Tie again before leaving. After seeing off that imperial official, Zhang Tie sat in his room for a short while. After that, he fetched a steward and gave a name card to him, having him pay a visit to Rhesa Republic’s Embassy in Xuanyuan Hill. After leaving some words to the steward, Zhang Tie stroked his face as he returned to his courtyard with that invitation card.

In the courtyard, Yan Feiqing and Bai Suxian took the invitation card and skimmed over it. Yan Feiqing then let out a sigh, “I remember that Emperor Xuanyuan issued so many orders to invite Immortal Sea King to Xuanyuan Hill, even by assigning many fleets to look for him in overseas. Your military exploits on the battlefield could even match that of Immortal Sea King. It’s His Majesty’s great virtue and honor to invite you to Xuanyuan Hill by holding an evening dinner. If you could attend it, the crown prince’s prestige among officials and the people would definitely rise rapidly. It’s not enough for him to gift you 10 Purple Manor…”

Zhang Tie replied with a smile, “I see, but he’s too hospitable to be declined. In addition, it’s just a banquet, not a big deal. Taixia Country is in a holy war. Emperor Xuanyuan is still missing. Such a big country should have a ruler in the crisis. Crown prince is virtuous. The greater reputation and prestige he had, the stabler the overall situation facing Taixia Country would be. In this case, I prefer to show my face in the public for the crown prince. No need to think too much about it!”

After Zhang Tie expressed his attitude, Yan Feiqing became silent. After staying with Zhang Tie for so long, Yan Feiqing found that Zhang Tie still kept his innocence.

“Alas!” Bai Suxian sprung up as if she thought up something, scaring Zhang Tie a lot.

“What’s wrong?” Zhang Tie asked out of concern.

“If I attend this banquet, I have to customize a new set of costume. How should I dress on this occasion? And, the clothes have to be matched with proper jewelry. No, I will have to prepare for it right now…” Bai Suxian shouted as she ran away out of excitement.

Zhang Tie sighed inside, ‘How could two women have such a great difference…’

“Do you remember Hongyi?” Yan Feiqing suddenly asked Zhang Tie.

Zhang Tie revealed an ’embarrassed’ smile towards Yan Feiqing whose emotion was uncertain as he replied, “Erm, of course…”

“How do you prepare to arrange her?”

“Have you told her to return to Fantasy Women Palace?”

In Taixia Country, on one occasion, knights who had received the order to fight demons could be set free in advance——exchange demon knights’ heads for freedom. Such regulation was very flexible. Taixia Country made this rule for some sects and major clans which had powerful knights. In some occasions, not each people would like to be restrained to the army or would like to fight in large formations. Therefore, as long as any human knight of these sects and major clans could bring back the heads of two demon knights on their own level as his or her military exploit, they would be set free.

When Yan Feiqing went to the frontline of Weishui River for the second time, she saved Zhang Tie and escorted him back to Xuanyuan Hill for medical treatment. At the same time, she dropped off some demon knights’ heads so that Guo Hongyi could be set free in advance.

Zhang Tie heard about it from others after waking up.

“Hongyi couldn’t stay in Fantasy Women Palace for the rest of her life…” Yan Feiqing threw a glance at Zhang Tie with a bit blush as she added, “If not being god-damn destined to meet you, how could Hongyi and I be in such an embarrassing relationship?”

Zhang Tie refuted in a serious look, “In Taixia Country, master and apprentice are not forbidden to fall in love with the same man. It’s not the god-damn destiny, but real love. Never care about others’ comments. No matter what, I would not lose hair. After I return to Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory in a few days, you’d better call her back. You need a good talk, so does she and I. Ahem, ahem…you may be master and apprentice in Fantasy Women Palace, but you could also be sisters in front of me…”

“Alas, you’re really the destined god-damn star in our hearts!” Yan Feiqing let out a sigh gloomily.