Murim's Weakest Princess

There were nine floors to this Red Palace. At least, externally, it seemed that way. Although Anji was not an architect, she could tell it was closer to fifteen floors instead of the nine that was seen externally, even without space dimension spells. The ceilings were often much higher than they first appear on the lower floors to create the illusion of luxury. However, as they proceeded higher, the ceilings started to look shorter in some corridors. Anji knew there were false ceiling panels hiding other rooms on ’half’ floors in some places. The overall layout of the Red Palace reminded Anji of a maze-like fortress, and in reality, it might just be one.

The walls were not made from solid wooden beams. They only looked like wood because of the panels fitted on them. The vibrations of the platform scraping at the sides told Anji otherwise. Inside these beams were metal structures coated in stone and covered with wood for a red paint and finish. How did they construct such a thing in the middle of the capital city without causing any suspicion? Her second brother and Hong Nian Niang must have pulled many strings. She had no doubt the construction labourers were secretly martial artists. No ordinary labourer could carry solid steel beams weighing up to a tonne.

Eventually, they arrived at the top floor, where special rooms were allocated to important guests. There, the manager assigned to them appeared red-faced as he patted his brow with a handkerchief. Anji pretended not to notice how out of breath he appeared from taking the long flight of stairs. Beside her, Yihao scoffed. If they had not insisted on forcing them to take the snail-paced platform, Yihao and Anji would have arrived much quicker. However, he wisely kept his thoughts to himself. The manager looked as if he would collapse on the spot if he knew Yihao could reach the top in one big leap with Anji on his shoulder. If anyone should be taking the moving platform, it should be the manager.

"W-weclome... to the top, top floor suites..." the poor manager gasped. "Y-your rooms are to the... to the end of the corridor. Please... follow me."

Following the manager who had to brace the walls for support, Anji spotted Lizi, who had previously accompanied him up the stairs. Compared to him, her maid seemed as if she had only been standing and breathing the whole time. Even a low cultivation core practitioner was this much stronger than a regular commonfolk. Anji suddenly felt pity for the perfectly healthy manager. Although her golden core was suppressed for now, it would have made Anji stronger than this man by default.

The Red Jade Token was more than just an unlimited credit means to get free food and entertainment in the Red Palace. According to their temporary manager, it was also a security key, which explained the intricate carvings on the jade.

"If you insert the token with the beak design headfirst into this lock hole and turn it, the room door will open to you. Every Red Jade Token is unique. We take pride in the security for important guests. Every room is equipped with thick walls so you may indulge in private conversations at ease. Should you need any services, such as filling of baths and food to be brought up, we can summon the servants by pulling on this string. We will attend to you within five minutes. However, if you wish to request a scheduled service for later, you can write your request and send it down this chute."

It was a very well-designed system. Even Yihao was impressed. No wonder his parents told him to listen to his older brother. They were not exaggerating when they said Mingshen’s intelligence had surpassed that of scholars. He always thought his older brother was an arrogant prick who only recited poems to mock him. Now that he saw the results of his brother’s brilliance, there was no denying how far ahead everyone else was compared to him. When he first begged Bai Dajin to teach him how to be stronger, he wanted to be able to contribute and not be the inferior one. Even after years of difficult training and finally succeeding, it appears everyone else had also run ahead of him, leaving him in last place. First, it was Anji. Now, Mingshen and his older sister were also too far out of his reach. His parents were still the incredible war heroes fighting on the front line, and all he could do was stand beside Lizi while Anji and the manager talked.

After Anji opened her room door and thanked the manager, Yihao tried his Red Jade Token. He thought they would room together like before, but then remembered how Anji was now a proper young lady. It would not be right for her to sleep with him now. The thought made him sad, but knowing Lizi and Gu Ying would be accompanying his younger sister, Yihao knew she would be safe.

"The luggage would be delivered soon," the manager smiled and bowed, recovering some colour on his face. "I will be back again to give you a tour of the Red Palace after they are delivered. In the meantime, please make yourselves comfortable. Thank you for your patronage!"

Bowing low and leaving, Yihao stood at the door and glanced over to Anji, who was chatting with Lizi excitedly.

"Brother Yihao, why are you standing there in a daze? Aren’t you going to explore the room?" Anji blinked when she noticed Yihao standing blankly outside his room.

Reading the room, Lizi quickly mock gasped and apologised profusely to help her third young master.

"Aiyah! This foolish maid forgot to mention it. However, the third young master mentioned that when we reached Chang’an, he would check on my cultivation training to give me pointers. Young mistress, how about we stay together in the same room for a while? The porters will take a while because we have several bulky items."

Although he did not remember making such a promise, Yihao quickly agreed and made an excuse to join Anji in her room with Lizi. Anji had no idea what was happening. However, she did not mind and welcomed Yihao all the same. She had no idea Lizi had become this passionate about practising cultivation again.