What Long Chen didn't expect was that the person blocking them was actually a familiar face—the plump Hanlin scholar who had been thoroughly beaten by Long Chen before.
This chubby Hanlin scholar was wearing a scholar's long shirt with gold trim, and his scholar's hat was neatly styled, quite proper—quite interesting.
Including Bai Pangzi, there were six Hanlin scholars present, responsible for registration, handing out gifts, reserved seats, and other matters.
The state banquet was a very grand event in the Vermilion Bird Empire, requiring meticulous attention to detail. The Hanlin scholars personally registered it, partly to show the importance of the state banquet and partly to show respect for literature.
The clerks came to supervise martial artists, also as a form of etiquette and etiquette, checking the appearance of those attending the banquet.
"Oh, you're doing pretty well, huh?" Honestly, wearing this outfit really does give off a pretty decent vibe. Long Chen saw the chubby Hanlin scholar and noticed the dark light in his eyes, knowing this kid was up to no good. But Long Chen didn't care and struck first.
"How dare you! How dare you speak filthy words before the imperial gates? Someone, drive this person away. The chubby Hanlin scholar shouted.
As he called out, a dozen or so soldiers wielding golden spears rushed toward Long Chen, actually trying to drive him away.
"Wait, this is Long Chen. His Majesty personally ordered him to attend the state banquet. Who would dare be rude?" Yu Qianxue said coldly.
The chubby Hanlin scholar was startled. He thought Long Chen was merely Yu Qianxue's bodyguard. According to imperial rules, princes and princesses have two opportunities each year to lead an outstanding guard to attend state banquets, demonstrating respect for talent.
The chubby Hanlin scholar wanted to make things difficult for Long Chen, stripping him of his qualification to get revenge for the humiliation Long Chen had once done to him.
But he hadn't expected that Long Chen hadn't come as a guard, but rather at the emperor's request and by name, which was a real hit.
Long Chen didn't say a word, crossing his arms as he looked at the chubby, pale Hanlin scholar, as if watching a noisy clown. The chubby, pale scholar's face flushed like pork liver.
"Since His Majesty personally appointed you, hurry up and register and receive your gift. Don't waste any time." Another tall, thin Hanlin scholar said coldly, clearly to help the chubby white man out of trouble.
"Why not wear the national ceremonial dress?" When it was time to register Long Chen, the Hanlin scholar said coldly.
"I'm willing." Long Chen's answer was also simple and straightforward.
"You..."
The Hanlin scholar was furious and wanted to scold Long Chen, but was stopped by another person. The man kept giving him meaningful glances, and the man finally managed to hold back. In the end, Long Chen was awarded a token and presented with a gift.
After Long Chen and the other two left, the tall, thin scholar couldn't help but ask, "Brother Liang, why are you stopping me?" Even if His Majesty approves his attire, I can still find ways to make things difficult for him to stand up for us. This guy is way too arrogant. "
Yes, Brother Liang, why did you let him go?" The chubby Hanlin scholar also said with some dissatisfaction.
"Heh heh, let me go?" Can I let him go? Is that possible? Think about it, the teacher will also be attending the state banquet soon. When the time comes, hehe..." the Hanlin scholar chuckled.
Only then did the group suddenly realize: "Impressive, truly brilliant. At the state banquet, this scholar can criticize this arrogant bastard to death." "
Hahaha...
The six exchanged glances and burst out laughing, as if they could already see Long Chen utterly humiliated and ashamed in public.
"Laughing loudly outside the palace gates—what kind of manners is that?" Just as the six of them burst out laughing, an old man caught them, startling them into quickly lowering their expressions and continuing their work.
Long Chen heard the laughter of those six people loudly, but he couldn't be bothered to argue with them.
"Big brother, maybe you should just change your clothes. That scholar has a dark face and a sharp tongue, and his status is high. Even Father can't do anything to him, so don't let him catch any leverage on you." Zhu Yifeng earnestly advised, "He's always had the formal dress."
"No need. So what if that scholar has a dark face and a black mouth? My heart is black—what am I afraid of? If you don't accept it, just fight! Who's afraid of whom! Long Chen shook his head. Now that his inner demons had been suppressed, he could freely express himself and no longer have to be cautious.
After his inner demon was suppressed, Long Chen became energetic, full of confidence, full of hope for the future, and his perception became sharper.
While cultivating the Dragon God Body Refining Technique, Long Chen's intuition told him that bone refining must be done thoroughly. Then, the dragon clan experts all said he had taken the right path. Without inner demons, it was as if he had returned to the era of leaving the Phoenix Ming Empire, crossing the desert alone, and heading to Xuantian Villa.
Back then, Long Chen was insignificant to him now, but back then, he was exceptionally confident, never thinking about difficulties, fearing no danger. No matter what happened in the future, Long Chen always believed he could handle it.
Later, as Long Chen's cultivation grew higher and his strength strengthened, he found his confidence weakening, hesitating and hesitating in everything he did, always anxious and insecure.
Lacking the courage to forge ahead as a teenager and sealing his inner demons, Long Chen realized that so-called maturity is actually synonymous with timidity. You have to anticipate everything thoroughly, plan before you decide, and avoid failure, but in reality, you also fear failure.
Back then, even if Long Chen failed, he wasn't afraid. He always felt that even if he failed, he could try again to make things right—that was his confidence.
Now, Long Chen is just like back then—no matter what he does, he no longer thinks about the future, doesn't think about failure, and doesn't care about anything else.
Entering the palace, the crowd suddenly increased. Many palace maids and guards shuttled back and forth, looking very busy, but no one said a word. Amid the lively atmosphere, there was a hint of oppression.
"So grand? It's just a family meal, isn't it? Is it really necessary to be so serious? Long Chen said helplessly.
"Shh, big brother, speak softer. The state banquet isn't for us princes and princesses, nor for princes and ministers. It's only because a foreign delegation is here that the banquet is held.
We hadn't received any information before, but judging by the scale, more than one country's delegation has come. Zhu Yifeng whispered.
"Foreign missions?" Long Chen was slightly taken aback. Could it be that calling him here was related to the mission delegation?
"Big brother, could Princess Qianxue ask you for a favor?" Suddenly, Zhu Yifeng said a bit embarrassedly.
"Let's go!" Yu Qianxue seemed to know what Zhu Yifeng wanted to say and agreed very straightforwardly.
Zhu Yifeng was overjoyed and led the two deeper into the palace, winding and turning, until they arrived at a palace.
As soon as the door was pushed open, a fierce sword aura instantly enveloped the three of them.