55: Conferring the title of Dharma King? What an extravagant gesture!

At the South Gate of Chu City, the city gates were wide open.

Chu He stood with his hands behind his back, dressed in a simple cyan long gown. No Family Elders or guards followed him, only Lin Waner and Su Qingxue, one on each side, quietly accompanying him.

The three of them just stood there, yet they seemed like an insurmountable chasm, forcing the grand royal procession outside the city to halt a hundred zhang away, not daring to advance another step.

Liu Yong, the Minister of Rites, who was at the forefront, sat atop a tall horse, gazing at the excessively young figure beneath the city gate. A tempest raged in his heart.

Is this the legendary Chu He who slew a Nascent Soul Old Monster, annihilated the Prefect, and now ascended to the Nascent Soul realm in one fell swoop?

Before coming, he had imagined countless scenarios for their meeting, perhaps a tense standoff, or overwhelming pressure.

But he never expected it to be so... peaceful.

There wasn't a trace of spiritual power fluctuation on the other party's body, just like an ordinary Young Master from a wealthy Family, taking a stroll at the entrance with two stunning female companions.

But it was precisely this return to simplicity, this peacefulness, that made Liu Yong, an old fox who had been immersed in officialdom for many years, feel a bone-chilling cold.

He knew this represented absolute confidence in one's own power.

"Who are you, and why do you stop before my Chu City gate?"

Chu He's faint voice drifted over, not loud, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears.

Liu Yong took a deep breath, snapped out of his complex thoughts, and dismounted.

He straightened his official robe, forced out what he believed to be his most genial smile, and holding a scroll of imperial edict, quickly stepped forward.

"Liu Yong, Minister of Rites of the Great Yan Dynasty, by Your Majesty's decree, specifically comes to pay respects to Senior Chu!"

He had originally intended to address him as "City Lord Chu," but the words changed to "Senior" before they left his mouth.

In the cultivation world, strength is respected. Facing a Nascent Soul Old Monster, no matter how high one's official position, it was merely an illusion.

"Oh? An imperial edict?"

Chu He raised an eyebrow, his gaze falling upon the imperial edict in Liu Yong's hand, which faintly exuded Dragon Qi. "What does that old emperor want with me?"

As soon as the words "old emperor" were uttered, the golden-armored guards behind Liu Yong immediately erupted in an uproar, and many showed angry expressions.

To directly call the current Emperor "old emperor" – what disrespect!

Liu Yong's heart also gave a violent lurch. He quickly turned around and sternly stopped the commotion among his subordinates, while a cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

This person, as rumored, was indeed unruly and unrestrained!

He quickly bowed, lowering his posture even further: "Senior, you jest. Your Majesty heard of Senior's Divine Might, having entered the Nascent Soul Dao. His Dragon Heart is greatly pleased, and he specially ordered this humble official to come and deliver a monumental piece of good news!"

"Good news?" Chu He smiled playfully. "Tell me about it."

Liu Yong cleared his throat, slowly unrolled the imperial edict in his hand, and began to read aloud in a sonorous tone:

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

"Hereby, Chu He, head of the Chu Family of Qingyang, a prodigy of unparalleled talent and cultivation, whose Nascent Soul realm stabilizes Our Dynasty's southeast, is truly a pillar of the nation and a blessing from Heaven!"

"We are deeply gratified, and hereby confer upon Chu He the title of 'state protecting dharma king' of Our Great Yan Dynasty. His status shall be equal to Ours; he need not bow to Us, nor hasten in Our presence!"

"Granted, a 'Dharma King Manor' in the Imperial Capital, spanning a thousand mu!"

"Granted, one hundred thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones and one hundred chests of Heaven And Earth Treasure!"

"Granted, three hundred beautiful palace maids and three thousand golden-armored guards!"

"Furthermore, We have prepared a grand ceremony at the 'Heavenly Altar' in the Imperial Capital, inviting Sects and Families from all corners of the realm to celebrate, to welcome the Dharma King's arrival!"

"Respect this!"

After the lengthy imperial decree was read, not only the procession behind Liu Yong but also the Chu City commoners watching from afar were plunged into immense shock.

state protecting dharma king!

Equal to the Emperor!

This was the pinnacle of a subject's position, an unprecedented supreme honor since the founding of the Great Yan Dynasty!

Countless eyes turned towards Chu He, filled with fanaticism and worship.

In their view, this was the imperial Family bowing to their Family Head, proof that the Chu Family's prestige had reached its zenith!

After reading the imperial edict, Liu Yong cautiously observed Chu He's reaction.

He had expected that, faced with such generous rewards and supreme status, the other party would at least be moved, even if not overflowing with gratitude.

However, Chu He's Face still held that calm and indifferent expression, as if he had heard not an earth-shattering conferment, but a trivial matter.

"Are you finished?" Chu He asked.

"Uh... yes, finished." Liu Yong was startled.

"The things are good, I'll accept them." Chu He nodded, then changed the subject. "As for going to the Imperial Capital for the ceremony..."

He paused, looking at the expectant Liu Yong, and suddenly smiled.

"I won't be going."

"What?!"

Liu Yong was struck by lightning, completely dumbfounded.

Not going?

This wasn't how the script was written!

They had imagined Chu He might ask for more conditions, or become arrogant, but they never thought he would directly refuse!

How dare he refuse?!

This was the Emperor's imperial edict, the gaze of the world. By refusing, wouldn't he be openly defying the imperial decree and making an enemy of the entire Great Yan Dynasty?

"Se-Senior, this... this absolutely cannot be!"

Liu Yong grew anxious and quickly advised, "This is His Majesty's heartfelt intention, and the world is watching. If you don't go, wouldn't it make His Majesty lose Face and become a laughingstock to all?"

"Oh? Is that so?"

Chu He's smile grew more playful. "That's good, I'd like to see how much that emperor's Face is worth."

He took a step forward, and an invisible pressure instantly enveloped Liu Yong.

Liu Yong felt as if an ancient divine mountain had pressed down on him. His legs went weak, and with a "thump," he uncontrollably knelt down.

"Go back and tell that old emperor."

Chu He looked down at him, his voice not loud, but carrying an overbearing force that crushed everything.

"His conferment, I accept. His gifts, I've received. But his ceremony, I have no interest in."

"If he wants me to give him Face, he can."

"Let him personally come to my Chu City, bringing that so-called nation-guarding treasure, the Dragon-Locking Seal."

"Perhaps then, I will consider letting him speak a few words to me while standing."