Chapter 162 The Mercurial Emperor

"The rules I've mentioned only apply to opening up an independent restaurant in the middle of court building grounds.

There are a few other options you can take in case the review doesn't go your way; one is to work in an already established restaurant within the Order. With your skills, it wouldn't be too hard for you to get in. I can make a few suggestions if you want.

The other is to be the siblings' legal guardians. When they pass their entrance test they will be resettled inside the Order and they will also have the option of bringing family members with them if they have any. It isn't restricted to blood relatives.

Based on your interaction I can see that the sentiments you share for each other are genuine and I'm willing to vouch for you which would be enough to get you resettled with them.

There's an area within the Order where they settle students and the families of the employees of the Order. It's called the glowing respite valley. Even though it's basically where they go to sleep the area has devolved into a town of its own.

All sorts of businesses have been opened up there by the families of the Order employees. You could open your own restaurant there if you wanted, and the process is simpler and shorter.

I hope the explanation has assuaged any concerns you may have," said Yang Qing.

"Many thanks, master Yang Qing," said grandpa Wang as both he and grandma Wang cupped their fists in thanks.

Zou Yi and Zou Liqin were clearly excited by the suggestion of the old couple being their guardians because in their minds they already considered them family. But they were mindful enough to hold themselves back despite the excitement.

They did not want their actions to pressure the couple into agreeing. Leaving a place you knew all your life was not easy, and they knew that feeling all too well as they would occasionally get nostalgic about their old home despite the tragic memory tied to it. They could only imagine it being a thousand times harder for the couple as they had lived longer and seemed to have a genuine love for their empire.

Grandpa and grandma Wang both chuckled as they saw the two siblings who were sitting on pins and needles, trying really hard to hold themselves back.

"When we come to a decision we will make sure to inform you," Grandpa Wang finally said as he smiled in gratification with a gentle gaze falling on the two siblings.

Yang Qing smiled as he cupped his fists in thanks. Even if it seemed like they were still undecided but from the looks the couple was giving the two siblings it seemed like they had already come to a decision.

"By the way do you know who this is?" Yang Qing suddenly asked the old couple as he reproduced an image of the orange-red-haired he had fought with a couple of minutes ago.

He felt with the connection the couple had and their admission of being close with one of the palace realm experts from the empire, they might know his identity.

Though he felt it would be awkward if the same palace realm cultivator they had deep ties with ended up being the same person he had given a solid beating to.

"That is Emperor Duan Hou, though he abdicated the throne thousands of years ago. The current emperor is his grandson. He is also one of the palace realm experts of the empire and the youngest too," grandpa Wang said with a hint of reverence in his tone.

Yang Qing noted that the old couple almost reflexively bowed the moment the image of the orange-red-haired man appeared.

"How was he as a ruler?" asked Yang Qing.

"His rule though brief in comparison to his predecessors and successors was actually the most stable and peaceful.

He was respected by all; from the ministers to the citizens. Just his mere presence alone…,"

"Stop!! He is not here and I'm not his friend either looking to investigate how his people think of him. I just need your honest raw opinion of him as a person and as a ruler."

Yang Qing hurriedly stopped grandpa Wang who seemed like he would go on and on endlessly with platitudes as if he was a court announcer introducing the emperor to the public or foreign dignitaries.

Grandpa Wang flinched once he felt a formless pressure being exuded from Yang Qing.

"Sorry about that, it's a reflex reaction," said grandpa Wang as he dryly chuckled.

Grandma Wang sighed at his display as she decided to step in.

"Truthfully he wasn't the most outstanding emperor but he wasn't mediocre either. During his reign things remained the same, there were not too many waves or surprises.

He is a person who adjusts to circumstances and has no qualms about the methods either.

To me, it always felt like he never wanted that seat and it was just hoisted on him. So when a suitable heir presented himself he was all too quick to abdicate it.

While he may not be notable as an emperor, as a cultivator it's something else. His talent is something that hasn't been seen among the Duan family for quite some time. He became a palace stage expert in under 2,000 years. It's one of the fastest speeds recorded in the empire's history.

With him we may have hopes of becoming a rank 2 empire," grandma Wang said with longing in her eyes.

"What about him?" Yang Qing asked as he created an image of the elderly man.

" That's the branch leader of the golden bamboo pavilion branch here in Purple city. He is rumored to be sworn brothers with Emperor Duan Hou," said grandma Wang.

"If you don't mind me asking, why are you asking about them, master Yang Qing?" Grandpa Wang couldn't help but feel curious if there was something going on with the two people Yang Qing asked about.

"Nothing really, I just met them on my way over and we parted before I even had a chance of knowing their names," Yang Qing casually explained choosing not to divulge that he had just given their former emperor a serious beating and was now lying in some dungeon getting questioned.

The Wang couple didn't think much of the half-hearted explanation however it was a different case for the Zou siblings.

Both Zou Yi and Zou Liqin had pensive looks on their faces for some time when suddenly Zou Yi rose from his seat almost screaming out but Zou Liqin hurriedly used her hands to shut his mouth.

"Keep quiet Zou Yi and good job Liqin. Both of you act normal and don't say anything."

Yang Qing's voice suddenly sounded in both of their minds. They reflexively looked up before they tried to pretend their attention was on something else.

Zou Yi even made a flimsy excuse of how he had just noticed Yang Qing's hair was green and how he wished he had one too.

"I'd like to thank you both for your hospitality. I enjoyed the meal and I hope to see you again. If you ever need my help just drop my name in any order branch and I'll be there.

Take care grandpa Wang, grandma Wang," Yang Qing said as he offered both of them daoist salutes.

He decided to make a quick goodbye before Zou Yi made any more unbelievable excuses that would definitely draw more questions instead of deflecting them.

"And to think he wanted to be an information broker with an act like that," Yang Qing ruefully thought.