Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 557: An Audience with the Emperor

As soon as Xuanzang left, Tian Peng immediately closed the door of the room.

He lay back on his bed, having made everything clear to Xuanzang, he figured Xuanzang would no longer have the chance to speak with him, and he would have to avoid him on the road as well.

Tian Peng planned in his heart; there were still about ten days until they reached Chang’an.

In these ten days, not only did he have to avoid Xuanzang, but he also had to do so without being too obvious about it.

Being tall and strong, as long as he moved quickly, Xuanzang wouldn’t necessarily be able to catch up with him, and at night, he would choose a lodging place far away from him.

With just over ten days like this, busy with travel during the day and resting at night, he was sure he could hold out until they reached Chang’an.

That was his plan, and as he actually hit the road, things proceeded just as he had anticipated.

In this way, the ten or so days passed quickly, and the group arrived at Chang’an City, the most prosperous place in Great Tang, dusty and weary from travel.

After reaching Chang’an, the group said farewell to Xuanzang, and the official from Kaifeng Prefecture also settled the payment with the security escort company.

Tian Peng had been to Chang’an before; even when heading towards the palace, he had passed through many streets, but he did not look particularly surprised.

The official from Kaifeng Prefecture found the youth’s composure somewhat odd and asked, "Is this your first time in Chang’an?"

"It is my first time," Tian Peng replied, "Why do you ask, my lord?"

"You don’t seem like it’s your first time in Chang’an," said the official from Kaifeng Prefecture, "You are far too composed. I remember being dazzled for a long time when I first came to Chang’an, but you seem not the least bit surprised."

Tian Peng thought to himself that he’d been to places even more bustling than Chang’an, so what was there to be surprised about?

However, he also felt some regret that he had forgotten to put on a façade just a moment ago and had inadvertently aroused suspicion.

He made up a lie in his head, then replied with a calm voice, "My heart is with the people of Huang’an Town; I have no attention to spare for other things."

This statement elevated his character to another level altogether.

The official from Kaifeng Prefecture could not help but see him in a new light. The youth was only seventeen but not only were his skills and sense of responsibility greater than his age, even his state of mind was mature.

Tian Peng had thought of the best and most faultless response he could, but he had not anticipated that this reply would leave the official from Kaifeng Prefecture speechless for a long time.

Tian Peng couldn’t help but glance at the official from Kaifeng Prefecture, "My lord, did I inadvertently say something wrong a moment ago? Why do you keep staring at me?"

"No, nothing strange," the official from Kaifeng Prefecture replied in haste, "I was just astonished. I didn’t expect someone as young as you could have such a state of mind, and that your external abilities match your inner character. That a hero like you could come from a place like Huang’an Town, it truly is a miracle."

"The lord flatters me; I spoke only the truth, and it’s not yet about my state of mind. I believe that as long as one’s heart is tied to the comfort of their hometown, anyone else would come to the same thoughts as me," Tian Peng said modestly.

"No, no, no, do not sell yourself short," the official from Kaifeng Prefecture spoke, "There is a martial examination this autumn, and I will recommend you to the higher-ups. Will you come to participate?"

The martial examination, Tian Peng mused to himself; it was spring now, and summer was approaching.

Huang’an Town had two harvests a year, and by autumn, it would be time to harvest the second crop. He would be able to see the results of the irrigation channels, so indeed, he could participate in the martial examination.

"Thank you for your high regard, my lord. But as I said before, I am still concerned about the people of Huang’an Town. If that issue can be resolved, I will surely attend the autumn martial examination," Tian Peng responded.

This was his way of tossing the ball into the court of the official from Kaifeng Prefecture, meaning "You help me solve my problem first, then I will agree to help you."

Originally, their trip to Chang’an was indeed for this matter, having traveled a long distance to arrive here, all with the expectation of resolving this issue.

This response was actually a roundabout way of agreeing. Hearing Tian Peng’s answer, the official from Kaifeng Prefecture smiled and said, "Rest assured, since I have already promised, I naturally plan to assist you. Now, can you also promise me that if I take good care of this matter, you will participate in this year’s autumn martial examination?"

"Since the official is willing to promise me, then I am also willing to promise the official," Tian Peng said.

The official from Kaifeng Prefecture nodded, "Very well, let’s settle it then. Since you have already promised me, let’s go immediately to the palace for an audience with His Majesty. I have already sent someone to notify them, and we shall go now."

Tian Peng hadn’t expected the official from Kaifeng Prefecture to act so quickly. It was now afternoon, and he had thought they would have to wait until tomorrow.

To think that they would be seeing the Emperor on the same day they arrived.

Still, it was good in a way. The official from Kaifeng Prefecture taking this matter seriously indicated his real desire to keep Tian Peng there.

"Alright, the official is so concerned. If this matter can be properly resolved, I will then stay in Bianjing and won’t leave. When the recruitment for the martial examination begins, I will set off for Chang’an," Tian Peng said.

With the official being so concerned, Tian Peng was also very active.

His response delighted the official from Kaifeng Prefecture. The thought of such a talent serving the Great Tang, and being recommended by himself, made him feel his blood boiling with excitement.

Upon their arrival at this place, they immediately hired a horse-drawn carriage and galloped towards the Imperial Palace.

Before dusk fell, they finally arrived at the Imperial Palace and had an audience with the Emperor. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"Greetings to Your Majesty," the official from Kaifeng Prefecture, upon seeing the man in the yellow robe, knelt down and respectfully said.

After all, it was the Emperor. Even though Tian Peng was somewhat reluctant in his heart, he still knelt down to kowtow to the man.

"My loyal subject, rise," the man said. "I have already received the letter you sent me a few days ago. I thought it would take you half a month to arrive, but unexpectedly, you are here this quickly, and I received your request for an audience this afternoon."

"This matter is indeed urgent," the official from Kaifeng Prefecture said. "Upon hearing the situation in Huang’an Town from the common folk, I did not dare to delay and hurried over here immediately."

After hearing the words of the official from Kaifeng Prefecture, the Emperor nodded, then turned his gaze to Tian Peng, who was kneeling upright by his side.

The young man looked quite young, and neither his stature nor his demeanor seemed appropriate for his age.

Moreover, he was just a common villager, likely never having had the opportunity to see His Majesty before.

Yet now, kneeling here, he seemed not nervous at all. Not only was he not nervous, but he also exuded a strong presence, one so imposing that it even overshadowed the august presence of the Emperor himself.

"Young man, lift your head," the Emperor said.

Tian Peng followed the Emperor’s words and lifted his head to look at him.

The official from Kaifeng Prefecture, catching this out of the corner of his eye, admired Tian Peng’s boldness while simultaneously worried that staring directly at the Emperor might earn him reprimand.

He covertly tugged at a corner of Tian Peng’s garment, signaling him not to look directly at the Emperor.

Before the Emperor had a chance to speak, a eunuch standing to the side had already blurted out, "How audacious! To dare look directly at His Majesty. Do you have a death wish!"