Chapter 521
The System was trying to recall the past. Afraid of being discovered by the Main System, it refused to alter any data unless the mission required it, hoping to coast all the way to victory.
【So the reason you like appearing in public so much isn’t to show off, but to gather incense offerings and faith?】
Yue Fuguang’s old face flushed at the System’s use of “show off.” She coughed twice, then asked defensively, though her bravado was clearly forced, “What else could it be? I’m doing all this for our mission!”
The System’s data flickered on and off. It still felt that something was off. Its host had always been a bit of a slacker who disliked meddling in other people’s affairs, and that tendency had already infected its current self.
But its host also loved showing off and enjoyed receiving praise and attention. No one could fool it about that. Supposedly, this had something to do with her upbringing and family environment. The System didn’t understand such things, but that didn’t stop it from cooperating enthusiastically out of a strong instinct for self-preservation.
【Host, you’ve really worked hard. To complete the mission, you’ve sacrificed so much and endured things no one of your station should have had to endure...】
“All right, System. That’s enough,” Yue Fuguang interrupted its stream of flattery.
“Lord Feng, write back to my grandfather. Tell him that our air carriage will descend in front of the city tower at Xuanwu Gate at the hour of Chen three days from now.”
Beyond Xuanwu Gate lay Xuanwu Avenue, the main thoroughfare of the capital and one of its busiest streets. Since she was going to appear in public, Yue Fuguang decided to let everyone see just how impressive her air carriage was.
Ever since Emperor Mingxi received the message, he had made no attempt to keep it secret. Even without his orders, the people of the capital had learned that the Divine Maiden who had saved them from the drought was returning to the city.
They had taken to the streets of their own accord and cleaned every road the Grand Preceptor might pass through. Some had even been tempted to take rags and wipe the streets down themselves.
“Mother, stop wasting your time. I heard the Divine Maiden is coming back in an air carriage. She won’t even need to use our street!”
A woman in her forties struck her son with a broom. “I’ll do what I please! Even if the Divine Maiden doesn’t come down onto our street, she’ll have to fly over it, won’t she? How could we let some filthy road offend the Divine Maiden’s eyes?”
An old man nodded in agreement. “Mistress Wang is right. We’re people from the Divine Maiden’s hometown. We can’t bring shame upon her!”
Mistress Wang nodded. “Old Brother Wu is right. These little whelps have only enjoyed a few full meals, and they’ve already forgotten the Divine Maiden’s kindness!”
As she spoke, Mistress Wang raised her broom again, intending to strike her son.
He was nearly twenty and would soon become a father himself. He protested aggrievedly, “Mother, you’re accusing me unfairly! When have I ever forgotten the Divine Maiden’s kindness?”
Unable to help himself, he lightly slapped his own mouth. “It’s all your fault. Why does your mouth always run ahead of you?”
Their home was on a small side street. Who was to say that the Divine Maiden couldn’t pass by there?
“Mother, I’m going to help my employer clean his shop on Xuanwu Avenue. The Divine Maiden is sure to pass that way.”
“All right, go on, then. Remember to work hard.”
As he spoke, his mother resumed sweeping the ground in front of their home.
Scenes like this continued to unfold throughout the capital. Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and with the joint efforts of the officials and the common people, the capital had taken on an entirely new appearance.
Even Yue Fuguang, seated in the slowly descending air carriage, noticed the difference.
“Hmm? Little Zhu, is it just my imagination, or does the capital seem much cleaner this time we’ve returned? Look at the tiles on the houses atop the city gate tower. They look as though someone deliberately scrubbed them.”
Feng Tang, who knew the truth, smiled faintly. His Majesty and the people of the city had not gone to all that trouble for nothing. The Grand Preceptor had noticed it all.
Emperor Mingxi and the others had been waiting on the city tower for nearly half an hour. Naturally, they too saw the air carriage slowly descending, and heard Yue Fuguang’s thoughts.
“She’s here! The Grand Preceptor is here!”
No one knew who shouted it from within the crowd. The moment they saw the carriage flying out from the clouds, he had been unable to contain himself.
Xuanwu Avenue had originally been quiet, with crowds lining both sides of the road to welcome her. But at the sight of the air carriage, the people erupted into complete excitement.
“The Divine Maiden! It really is the Divine Maiden!”
“Those flying horses really have wings! They’re so long and white!”
“The Divine Maiden’s immortal carriage is beautiful!”
“Is that an immortal carriage made of emerald jade?”
“The bells on the carriage sound so lovely!”
“Yes, listening to them makes my heart feel so light.”
“Are you sure your heart feels light because of the bells, and not because you’ve seen the Divine Maiden?”
The avenue below the city tower was bustling with excitement. On the city wall, the officials of the Great Yan court stretched their necks and rose onto their toes, all trying to get a better look.
Yue Fuguang’s air carriage descended incredibly slowly, giving everyone ample time to admire it.
The more they looked, the more envious they became. In particular, when they saw their colleague Feng Tang sitting on the driver’s bench, their envy and jealousy reached its peak.
Even Emperor Mingxi was no exception. He practically wished he could fly up, drag Feng Tang down, and take his place himself.
At last, after swaying through the sky for nearly the time it took to burn a tea stick, Yue Fuguang’s carriage slowly landed on the city tower.
“Your Majesty!”
“Fuguang, you’re back. You’re safe and sound—that’s all that matters!”
Yue Fuguang was still standing on the driver’s bench, but Emperor Mingxi and the others swarmed around her without even waiting for her to climb down and offer them the proper greeting.
It wasn’t that they had abandoned all dignity. The carriage, along with the winged horses pulling it, looked far too much like the divine beasts and celestial vehicles described in the legends of immortals.
The “special effects” surrounding the carriage were still active. Spiritual light shimmered, and the occasional phantom of an immortal beast or celestial plant appeared and vanished. Emperor Mingxi had reached out to touch the carriage wall, but quickly withdrew his hand.
For the first time in his many years as a man, Emperor Mingxi felt deeply inadequate.
“Fuguang, is this your new carriage? It’s truly beautiful!” Compared with it, his jade palanquin seemed utterly inferior.
“Your Majesty, this air carriage is not only beautiful but fast as well. Without it, I wouldn’t have been able to return so quickly.”
“On behalf of the people of the realm, I thank you, Fuguang.” Emperor Mingxi bowed to Yue Fuguang. “Without you, Great Yan would be no better off than the several nations bordering us.”
Now that Yue Fuguang no longer concealed her identity as the Divine Maiden, he could, as ruler of the empire, properly bow to her as such.
Yue Fuguang had never publicly acknowledged that she was The Immortal Lord, but neither had she denied it. That was effectively an admission.
Seeing that His Majesty had offered his respects, the assembled officials did not hesitate either.
“We thank the Grand Preceptor for your assistance!”
Yue Fuguang had no sense that their gratitude was undeserved. Given her status, she could not be excessively humble and cautious; doing so would only diminish her dignity.
She lifted her chin slightly and accepted their homage with her hands clasped behind her back. Her voice, however, held a touch more warmth.
“Your Majesty, and all of you, there is no need for such formalities.”