The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 309 - 272, Entry (Asking for guaranteed monthly pass at the beginning of the month)

"Big Brother has emerged from seclusion!"

This news, like a whirlwind, swept through the Zhao family, stirring the joy and rushing of the female relatives who had been worried for many days.

Zhao Douan didn't mention a word about his gains from the seclusion, only saying, "I've made some progress."

You Jinhua and her daughter, not understanding cultivation, didn't inquire further. After a hasty meal, the family got into the carriage and headed straight to the site of the "Immortal Battle."

"Auntie, I've missed all the excitement these past few days. Tell me about the current situation," he said.

As the carriage wheels rolled over the damp streets, stirring up scattered leaves, Zhao Douan rode with the two women, feeling the chill seeping through the curtains' gaps, and asked with a smile.

Although the mother and daughter hadn't witnessed the event with their own eyes, they had heard plenty of news, which they chattered about with him immediately.

It was all about how grand the scene was, how many prominent figures and high-ranking nobles were watching, the mystical phenomena of "Immortal Battle," and various gossip.

Zhao Douan listened with a smile, not minding the chatter.

The battle of magic wasn't just about fighting; it was also a stage for both factions to demonstrate their strength and foundation to the world.

Thus, on the first day, it was mainly about showing off their "muscles."

For instance, a Pill Master from the Heavenly Master Mansion publicly refining a furnace of pills, or a Mage from the Divine Dragon Temple chanting scriptures to reveal wonders—the dazzling performances went on.

The second day brought the actual battle of magic, but it was "turn-based."

One side set the challenge, and the other had to break it—arcane and complex.

Today, the third day, was the real combat and the main event.

Each side would send out a Magician that met the requirements to battle, and one fight would determine the winner.

In other words, the first two days were akin to "exhibition matches," and only on the last day did the true battle take place.

Zhao Douan also learned from his stepmother about the young monk "Tianhai" sent by the Divine Dragon Temple.

"It's said that the young monk has an upright eye on his forehead, quite frightening to behold," You Jinhua said with a mix of fear and excitement as she shared the information she had.

The young Zhao Pan hummed:

"Mother, you haven't seen it; how do you know it's scary?"

In the household, You Jinhua was a dignified matron, but at this moment, she was lively, bantering with her daughter:

"Such a bizarre feature, can't you just picture it? Don't believe me, just wait and see for yourself."

Zhao Pan's eyes rolled with her limpid gaze pleadingly turning towards her big brother:

"With Big Brother by my side, I'm not afraid."

You Jinhua, feeling oddly jealous, refuted:

"Your big brother is indeed very powerful, but he's only a mortal, while that monk is a divine being, he's of a different caliber."

Zhao Pan said softly:

"Mother, you were not like this before."

"..."

Overwhelmed by the squabble, Zhao Douan raised his hand to lift the curtain, letting the cold wind gush in as he squinted to see the bustling crowd in the distance.

...

The site of the Immortal Battle was an open space outside the Heavenly Master Mansion.

When the Zhao family arrived by carriage, they could already hear the clamor and see the dense crowd and the sea of people ahead.

Amidst the crowd, umbrellas spread wide formed almost a continuous canopy.

Just from this corner alone, there were thousands of people, and one could imagine the staggering number of spectators gathered around the whole battleground.

The three of them lifted the carriage curtains and were astonished to see several "giant paintings" hanging high above the crowd at the edge of the throng.

In Zhao Douan's eyes, they were akin to "big screens" made by Magic Light Screens.

At this moment, all the screens showed an empty, desolate arena.

It seemed the Immortal Battle hadn't started yet.

It even had live broadcasting... Zhao Douan's mouth twitched slightly.

"Goodness... so many people," the carriage driver exclaimed in alarm, his head aching, "We can't get in."

Zhao Douan casually pointed to a passage sealed off by the imperial guard in the distance:

"Leave someone to watch the carriage; we'll enter through there."

As Zhao Douan led his family to the "VIP passage,"

Before he even had to show his waist card, the imperial soldiers guarding the entrance brightened their eyes and gestured with a welcoming "please":

"General Zhao, this way!"

"Do you know me?" Zhao Douan looked at the unfamiliar soldier with surprise.

The latter replied respectfully:

"I've had the fortune to witness the general's true face."

I see... With no guilt, Zhao Douan patted the young soldier's shoulder and, on a whim, said:

"Good job, comrade, keep it up."

Then he stepped forward, walking along the corridor guarded by crossed spears.

The young soldier's excited face slowly took on a puzzled expression.

He didn't quite understand, but soon dismissed it and thought wryly as he looked at his shoulder:

I'll have to get this uniform framed when I get home, telling everyone it was "Mr. Zhao" who patted it.

...

"Big Brother is really impressive. We got in without even showing our waist cards," his stepmother said with a beaming smile, having rushed to dress in the garb of a noblewoman to enjoy the spectacle.

At home, she had heard time and again about her stepson's distinguished position and his ease in the world of officials.

Hearing is one thing, seeing is believing; no matter how impressive the rumors, the little scene just now was more convincing.

Zhao Pan also gazed up adoringly.

"Didn't they say there's a special area at the front reserved for the families of high-ranking officials? I'll find someone to take you there in a while," Zhao Douan said with a smile.

With his status today, since he had come, he would undoubtedly be sitting at the same table with the influential court ministers.

As they spoke, the group reached the end of the corridor and into a wide-open area.

Looking ahead, the center featured a large circular stage.

Around the stage, several temporary stands had been erected, the most conspicuous three belonging to the Buddhist Tao, and the Great Yu Dynasty court.

In the court's faction, the royal nobility, civil and military officials were neatly organized.

"Mr. Zhao? You've arrived?"

As soon as he entered, nearby officials recognized him, first with surprise, then with obsequious flattery.

Zhao Douan nodded lightly and ordered someone to lead You Jinhua and her daughter to the area where the noble ladies were seated.

He himself folded and made his way to a table of influential officials.

...

The viewing stand for the officials of the Great Yu Dynasty was made up of a series of tables and chairs.

Delicacies and fruits were also placed on the tables, with attendants in service.

A group of dignified personages were gathered, engaging in casual conversation.

Zhao Douan glanced over and immediately spotted a crowd of acquaintances:

Among the civil officials, Imperial Court of Supervision Imperial Censor Yuann Li stood out in his blue robe, his clear-cut face aged with experience, wearing a light smile as he talked amicably with the Minister of Rites beside him.

On the military side, the unsmiling and rigidly seated, handsome "Great Yu's Divine General" Xue Shence was there, commanding a presence of 'do not approach strangers.'

Beside him were several high-ranking military officers, including the Lord Ma Yan.

And in the most honored position between the civil and military officials was Mo Zhaorong, representing the Empress, impeccably dressed in her official robe, her plum blossom makeup on her brow even more exquisite than usual.

Next to Mo Chou were two other acquaintances, one of whom was the Commandery Princess Xu Junling, the recent notable figure in the Capital and daughter of the Prince Huaian. The other was none other than the first Tributor of the Inner Court, Eunuch Hai, who had served three generations of emperors.

At that moment, as Zhao Douan approached, the various high-ranking officials on the viewing stand also gradually took notice of him, showing surprise.

Some even stood up to show respect:

"Mr. Zhao?"

"Lord, it's been many days."

"Master Zhao? Ha ha, you've finally arrived. I thought you were going to miss this excitement."

The officials of the Capital, who had been in small groups conversing, now all turned their attention to Mr. Zhao and started talking to him with smiles.

In the distance, the common people who witnessed this scene were astonished and started discussing:

"Who is this eminent person who has such a grand presence?"

"It's too far to see clearly, maybe it's some aristocratic young master."

"Bah, isn't everyone on that viewing stand an immensely powerful and noble personage? Who else could be so respected by them all?"

...

Inside the viewing stand.

The Little Princess with sweet features and tender skin was also looking sideways, curious about this man's weight in the official circles of the Capital.

"I've heard that Mr. Zhao isn't well-liked, but seeing him today, I realize that the rumors aren't entirely true," Xu Junling remarked quietly.

Mo Chou turned her head to give her a look that said, "Are you serious?"

Those who had bad relations with him had all been taken down by him, and the rest did not dare to provoke him openly.

She always felt that Your Majesty's cousin seemed like a sweet girl from the south, but in fact, she was quite cunning.

The words she spoke were also oddly snide, and after thinking about it, she said meaningfully,

"In my view, the Princess shares some similarities with Mr. Zhao."

"Oh? Is it about beauty?" Xu Junling asked innocently.

No... it's that neither of you is particularly good... Mo Chou secretly scoffed.

Next to them.

Zhao Douan laughed and exchanged pleasantries with the ministers for a moment, casually chatted with a phrase "I've been in retreat for the past few days, not dealing with external affairs," and thus explained away his several days of absence.

Then he turned to Ma Yan with a gesture,

"Lord, I haven't had the chance to report to you in person about that matter..."

He was referring to the deployment of troops to capture Chai Keqiao.

Ma Yan was sitting in his place in the stand, waving his hand, indicating the matter was in the past, his slightly dull eyes staring at him:

"You've come out so soon?"

Zhao Douan smiled, "It wouldn't be good to miss such a big excitement."

Ma Yan gave him another look, nodded, and said nothing.

Zhao Douan asked casually, "Is Your Majesty not coming today?"

Ma Yan said blandly,

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"Her Majesty is not here, but that doesn't mean she isn't watching. The slightest stir here cannot escape Her Majesty's eyes."

The implication was:

The Empress, although not present, was watching this battle of skills from afar.

Heavenly Master Zhang and Master Xuan Yin, no doubt, were doing the same.

He continued, "As for Grandmaster Dong, Prime Minister Li, and others, whether due to old age or being unable to endure, or being entangled with official duties, they've only sent representatives to make up the numbers."

Zhao Douan nodded, for he had just seen Young Master Li Yinglong representing Li Yanfu, and Grandmaster Dong's grandson, old acquaintance Dong Da, behind the stands.

The former was expressionless, pretending not to see him, while the latter greeted him with a gesture but did not approach.

"You should sit in the middle where you can see better," Ma Yan suddenly said.

Zhao Douan nodded, passed between the rows of seats, and arrived at the center of the viewing stand.

He first smiled at Mo Chou, who moved her gaze away from him with a stern face, disregarding him.

"Little Princess, we meet again," Zhao Douan then turned to Xu Junling.

Xu Junling returned a light smile as if she hadn't been verbally teased just a few days before.

Tsk tsk... Thicker skinned than I thought, I'll have to break your defenses when I have the time... Zhao Douan mused to himself.

Finally, he walked over to the side of the robed old eunuch, picked up a chair, and sat down—

Strictly speaking, with his fourth-rank position, he wasn't entitled to be here.

Yet no one spoke out, as if by tacit agreement.

"Eunuch, I've come over," Zhao Douan said softly, seated in the chair.

From the arrival of the eunuch, he hadn't shown any obvious expressions, now his gaze too was fixed on the stage ahead, not looking at him, he simply said faintly:

"You've come at just the right hour?"

Zhao Douan smiled as well, looking towards the stage ahead, and said:

"I stepped over the threshold the night before last, but then I firmed and settled for another day."

The old eunuch's mouth slowly curled into a smile, uttering just two words:

"Not bad."