(Eternal Capital)
(Fujian Pavilion)
As the many martial artists and the children finished the first part of the Divine Martial Tournament, Xi Jin, the Imperial Advisor, went to the Personnel Ministry.
"The Imperial Advisor arrives".
As an attendant announced his arrival, Xi Jin entered the office of the Minister of Personnel, Zheng Lin. The minister stood up from his desk to greet Xi Jin.
"Greetings, Imperial Advisor", said Zheng Lin, giving a slight bow.
Xi Jin nodded his head and told him to rise. They both took a seat, and Zheng Lin asked his attendant to bring some tea.
"To what do I owe this pleasure, my lord?" asked Zheng Lin curiously. "As you know, the contestants just finished the first part of the Divine Martial Tournament", said Xi Jin. As the attendant entered and brought the tea, placing it on the table between the two, Zheng Lin replied, "Yes, I do".
"Now the next part is about to commence, but recent disturbances have deeply bothered His Majesty, and the inability of the Court of Judicial review to investigate the cases and make any progress has also started to draw the attention of the Eldar", explained Xi Jin, with a rather manipulative tone.
As Xi Jin explained himself, and his reason for visiting, Zheng Lin listened attentively, but as a man who's lived the life of an imperial court official for the reign of three emperors. He knows that Xi Jin is trying to get something out of him, but plays along because the court politics of the Eternal realm are extremely perilous.
"However, these disturbances seem quite familiar to past events, if let unattended it may threaten the progress of the Divine Martial Tournament, which cannot happen but if I wish to help ease the burden of His Majesty, I will need to review some of those past cases", said Xi Jin in a concerned voice, but any experienced official would know that this tone is mere illusion, to deceive.
Zheng Lin calmly placed the cup of tea back on the table, looking at it rather confused, but he understood the meaning of the visit. "Yes, the past is the key to present problems, but most of those cases now reside in the Imperial Archive, and it will be difficult to access it". Xi Jin is looking rather pleased, as if he is getting closer to something. "Why?" asked Xin Jin.
"Because the Imperial Archive is under the protection and supervision of the Hou Clan. One would need the permission of the emperor to enter it", said Zheng Lin, looking at Xi Jin, whose face immediately changed in color, as if that wasn't what he wanted to hear. "But would be the only hurdle to enter the Archive, one would need someone from the direct bloodline of the Xuan Clan to open it, and there aren't a lot of them in the Capital."
Xi Jin's expression grew even more unsatisfied, and Zheng Lin noticed it, but he did not call it out; instead, he gave Xi Jin the answer he needed. "However, if the emperor had a reason to open the vault..." said Zheng Lin, ending his sentence mid-way as if he was indicating something, and Xi Jin gave off a little smile, and shrugged off the information.
"If it's that difficult, why bother? I'll wait for the Court of Judicial Review's verdict", said Xi Jin with a slight grin, drink the last of his tea. He then got up and thanked Zheng Lin for the tea and his hospitality, and he proceeded to leave. As Zheng Lin watched him leave, his attendant came closer, "Master, why did the imperial advisor suddenly come here and asked but that?" asked his attendant, and Zheng Lin shook his head and instructed him to bring more tea.
As Xi Jin exited Fujian Pavilion, his subordinate Yujin approached him, "Master, have you got what you came for?" asked he curiously, but Xi Jin shook his head in disappointment and instructed him to do something, "Go and tell our friend to get ready, we will have to force their hand".
Yujin nodded. Xi Jin entered his horse carriage and drove off, and Yujin flashed off.
{Eternal Market}
At the center of the lower ring of the Eternal Capital, the marketplace was full of people for the upcoming festival that was around the corner, and everyone in the kingdom and entire realm was preparing for it.
"Mother, what do you think about this one?", asked a young eternal woman to her mother, "No, this is not suitable for a future bride, you must look like the moon and shine like the stars", said her mother, an old lady in her mid-fifties.
As the marketplace got busier and louder, the royal guards came to open a path and down flashed Chang'an, the Second Princess of the Eternal Realm,
"Wow, incredible," whispered and said the people in the area as she walked forward,
"Greetings, Your Highness", said everyone, bowing to her immediately.
"Never mind, everyone, I am not here on royal duty, I am just another person preparing for the festival", said she softly, but loud and graceful, and her maid sent off the royal escort. Everyone continued with what they were doing, but still underhandedly stared at her because it wasn't every day that the imperial family came to the lower ring. Chang'an and her maid Qingming walked down the streets to many different stores where they must be. As the two walked the were moving through the crowds of people and vendors that had stuff of all kinds.
They then went down a street to go to a clothing fabric store, and on their way, Chang'an bumped into a man as she was looking around. She fell to the ground, but the man caught her in time, and as she opened her eyes, all she saw was a beautiful young man with light blue eyes and golden light shining behind him. It was Mu Xuan, and it felt like they were the only ones there in the vast space.
"How dare you bump into the Princess?", shouted Qingming, snapping them out of their imagination, and without knowing who the man was, "It's fine, Qingming", said she (Chang 'an) as Mu Xuan lifted her to her feet. "No, Princess, it's not he can't just bump into you and expect you feel sorry and apologize", said she furiously, "Ming'er this Mu Xuan Crown prince of the Heavenly realm and his brother Mu Yuan", said she softly and calmly.
As they were clearing the misunderstanding the Imperial Alarm bell rang, "What is that?", asked Mu Yuan shook and surprised not understanding what is happening, "That's the warning bell for an intruder", explained Qingming scared, "There's an intruder in the Golden City", asked Mu Yuan surprised and sarcastic, "Enough", said Mu Xuan annoyed, "It's alright no one ever knows about these things happening inside the city because it normally gets dealt with quickly", said Chang'an calmly.
Then they saw a battalion of guards flying towards them, "That's…", said Qingming softly, as the guards flashed down. It was Shangjian and his battalion. Qingming then hid herself behind Mu Yuan, who was shocked and confused, but a feeling of shyness rushed over him.
"Your Highness there is an intruder the emperor as order you to enter the palace", said Shangjian Captain of the Imperial Guard as he landed, "What has happened", asked Chang'an worried, "I don't know but the awakening of Lord Shangyu is approaching", said he seriously and his expression with what he said alarmed Chang'an and the Princess agreed, "You two come with me", said she as they walked away and everyone flashed away.
With chaos about to erupt in the capital, in the palace of Arceus, something mysterious is taking place.
(White God Palace)
{Nirvana Chamber}
As Xinyu walked into a hall, he came to a huge door that he opened and walked into. As he walked, he saw that there was someone already waiting is was his sister, Qingyu.
"What are you doing here?", asked he (Xinyu), annoyed. "Father summoned me too, don't worried I didn't sneak in", said Qingyu nonchalantly with a childish mannerism.
"Are you two done reuniting?", asked a person with a stern voice. It was Arceus standing next to a huge altar with a giant egg-like cocoon that was emitting radiant, hot red crimson energy from itself, and it looked like it had a bird inside. It was Shangyu, the eldest son of Arceus and Xuanyu.
Annoyed by their chatter, Arceus responded, "If so, then shall we continue?"